The Tool Desk
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Choose the right audio source
| Use case | OBS source | What repeats | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| One local sleep-music track | Media Source | The file repeats after playback ends when Loop is enabled. | Use a supported audio file; OBS lists MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV among common formats. |
| A playlist of tracks | VLC Video | The playlist repeats with Loop Playlist enabled. The OBS guide documents this option as enabled by default. | VLC must be installed. For 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. |
These options address playback at the source level. Neither makes the broadcast independent of the OBS process.
Loop one sleep-music file in OBS
OBS’s Media Sources documentation, published January 11, 2022, describes the Loop option as repeating a file after playback ends. Menu wording can vary by OBS release, but the workflow is to add a Media Source, choose the audio file, and turn on its Loop option.
- In the Sources dock, select + and add Media Source.
- Name the source, then select OK.
- In the source properties, select the local audio file. OBS documents common formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV.
- Enable Loop, then select OK.
- Start playback and confirm that the track begins again after it reaches the end.
If the source does not appear to play, check that the file path is valid and that the source is not hidden or muted. A loop setting repeats the chosen media; it does not reconnect OBS to a streaming platform or preserve output during an application restart.
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Loop a sleep-music playlist
- Install VLC if it is not already available. OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC; use the 64-bit VLC build with 64-bit OBS.
- In OBS’s Sources dock, select + and add VLC Video.
- In the source properties, add the playlist files in the desired order.
- Check Loop Playlist and save the source.
- Play the playlist and verify that it starts again after the final item.
OBS’s Media Sources guide documents VLC Video for playlists and says Loop Playlist is enabled by default. Verify the setting rather than relying on its default, especially if the source was previously configured.
What happens when OBS restarts?
Media looping is not stream continuity
A loop handles the end of a file or playlist while its source is active. If OBS exits or restarts, the source is not running during that interval. The loop setting alone cannot keep audio flowing to viewers while the OBS process is stopped.
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Automatic Reconnect is for a connection interruption
OBS’s Overview Guide lists Configure Automatic Reconnect among Advanced settings. This is relevant when the stream connection is interrupted; it should not be treated as evidence that an OBS-originated broadcast continues while OBS itself is shut down or restarting. The guide does not establish how a particular streaming platform displays or retains a broadcast during that gap.
Check the platform before relying on a restart
The streaming platform and OBS version matter. Check the platform’s own documentation for what viewers see when an encoder disconnects and reconnects, then test the actual OBS release, operating system, and platform in a controlled setup. The available OBS documentation does not establish a universal platform behavior or an exact restart procedure that preserves uninterrupted viewer playback.
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Can automation recover the source?
OBS WebSocket provides a way for external tools to control scenes and sources. OBS’s Remote Control Guide, published April 18, 2023, says WebSocket integration is built in by default starting with OBS Studio 28 and recommends protecting the interface with a password.
Automation may help operate OBS scenes or sources, but that capability does not establish that the broadcast stays uninterrupted during an OBS process restart. Before depending on a script, verify both the platform’s reconnect behavior and the full restart sequence in a controlled test. Protect the WebSocket interface with a password rather than exposing it without authentication.
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Troubleshoot the common failure points
| Symptom | Likely check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The track plays once and stops | Media Source Loop is off. | Open the Media Source properties, enable Loop, and test past the end of the file. |
| The playlist does not repeat | Loop Playlist is unchecked or the VLC source is unavailable. | Check the VLC Video source properties. Install VLC, matching OBS’s 64-bit architecture where applicable. |
| The source is silent | The media path may be invalid, or the source may be muted or hidden. | Confirm the selected file opens, then check the source’s visibility and audio mute state in OBS. |
| The stream drops when OBS closes | Loop and Automatic Reconnect do not establish continuity while the OBS process is stopped. | Check platform-specific encoder-disconnect guidance and test the restart behavior before relying on it. |
| A recovery script does not restore the broadcast as expected | Scene/source automation does not guarantee platform-side continuity. | Verify WebSocket control, platform reconnect behavior, and the complete restart workflow in a controlled setup. |
Or let it run in the cloud
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